What does it take to become bachelor of the year in Ballybunion?
Contestants from Ireland, the UK and America compete for the title of Ballybunion Bachelor of the Year.
They call it one of the greatest endurance tests known to man. Only the fit and able and naturally enough male need apply.
The week of events sees twenty single men compete for the title. Dave Watkins from Wales was encouraged by a friend to take part and has no regrets.
Pardaig Dolan from Meath was advised,
You'd be a fool not to do it. It'll be the best week of your life.
Padraig Corcoran from Cork dreams of a celebrity status that would have him opening supermarkets and kissing babies.
Organiser Frank Quilter from Ballybunion explains that the festival was originally known as the Ballybunion Gay Bachelor Festival. Around 1973, the word gay was dropped from the title. While physique is a factor for the judges, personality is more important. It is a week of getting to know the local people and partying late into the night.
Michael Kelly from north Cork hopes to lose his bachelor status in the course of the week. John Doyle from Kilkenny says that a good bachelor should be able to party ten nights a week. Tony McCarthy from Kerry is enjoying the sing-songs and talking to the local girls. Andy Dallas from London is trying the revitalising qualities for the Ballybunion seaweed baths as part of his bachelor beauty regime.
Events throughout the week include donkey derbies, periwinkle picking, treasure hunts and beach parties.
At the end of the week, the judges make up their minds and select a winner. The winner of the title of Ballybunion Bachelor of the Year is Benny Mulhern from Granard County Longford.
This episode of Nationwide was broadcast on 6 July 1998. The reporter is Jennie O'Sullivan.
